like at first sight

I was visiting with a friend the other day.  After we got off the phone, my mind went back to the first time that I met him.  He was playing on one of our softball teams and had just made an error.  For some reason, I kept watching him.  I am not sure what it was... his intensity? The degree to which he cared?  I am not sure what happened in that moment, but I liked him instantly.  Before I ever heard his voice.  Before I ever got to know him, I liked him.  Today I can tell you that I love him and we are great friends.  But it all began with an interesting experience of "like at first sight."

This is true for many of you as well. I saw you and I instantly liked you. I am not going to mention names but I have met so many good souls along the way.

It was like at first sight.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com


- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

hang on

Some times in life you have to hang on for the ride.

This lizard was sunning himself on the bed rail of my truck.  I told him to scat but he would not.  I made a run to the dump.  He went along for the ride.

I don't know if he made it back.  Doubtful. [Geico dropped me from their insurance]

Sometimes in life we find ourselves on an unexpected journey.  And about half way there you find out that you are going to the dump.

Listen if I am going somewhere and it's a surprise, I want it to be Epcot Center or some place like that.  We haven't seen any of the black racer snakes for a while so our lizard population is pretty high right now.

This little guy chose the wrong place to rest.
We don't always get to rest do we?
Sometimes in life you have to hang on.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

Stan Hartzler

Welcome to one of my horror stories, from the file of life regrets.  Jeff was a jerk.

I was a Senior in college.  We were playing intramural flag football.  No pads, no helmets, just young men crashing into each other.  Our floor SC2N was playing our rivals SC2S.  We had scouted them and knew the kind of plays that they liked to run.  One of them was a student body right, a sweep around the end.  I was the outside linebacker.

So we are in the heat of the game and here comes the sweep to my side.  In high school, the football coach taught us to take out the lead blocker and then go for the tackle.  So for some reason that I still struggle with, I did to Stan Hartzler, what I did to the opposing team in high school.  Only in this game there was no protection.

I hate to tell you what I did, but here it is.... I was going right through him to get to the ball carrier.  Along the way my forearm met his mouth.  He dropped like a stone.  I made the tackle. Stan made a trip to the ER.

Later that night there was a knock on my dorm room door.  It was Stan.  He wanted me to see what I had done to him.  His teeth had gone through his front lip.  6 stitches.  I felt like a complete jerk.  I was a complete jerk.  I told him that I was very sorry.

If you know someone named Stan Hartzler, I would love to apologize again.  Not my best moment.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

soccer

Today I am going to tell a good story about myself, but don't think I am puffed up, because tomorrow is a bad story about Jeff.

Add caption

So I was in college 1975-79.  We did not have fraternities so we played intramural sports by dorm floor.  I was a part of Scott hall, second floor, north end.  SC2N

My senior year, we won every sport.  Football, basketball, soccer, tennis, softball, tiddly winks, we won it all.  We were so proud of ourselves.  I am sure that we were hated by much of the rest of the school.  When you are a young man, at least for me, a good deal of self esteem came from playing and winning sports.

Soccer.  I had never played, but Mel Torre from New York was going to teach me.  He was the captain of our floor's soccer team.  One game, I scored three goals.  A hat trick!  It was a happy memory.

Oh we were young!  Oh we had fun.  The attached picture was from the school paper.  I am in front, about to head the ball.  Yes, I had hair back then!

I kind of hate to tell stuff like this because it sounds like bragging, but tomorrow's post will even the score.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

Blue Angels

picture taken from our driveway

The Blue Angels were at the Vero Beach air show over the weekend.  They practiced Thursday and Friday and the show was Saturday and Sunday.  So 4 days of fun!

The airport is only 3 miles from our house so we had a birds eye view of the planes flying right over our neighborhood.  It was awesome.  Last week when a rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, I was the only one out in the street watching.  But when the Blue Angels were flying, all of the neighbors for as far as I could see were out in the front yard watching.

The Blue Angels are a Navy flight team that perform stunts at shows all over the country.  They fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A 18 Hornet which is a fighter and an attack aircraft.  The comment that I heard over and over again while the planes were flying was "Oh, I am so glad that they are on our side."

video I took from a building roof top on Saturday.
click here to watch

It was incredible to watch them and to feel the power of their aircraft.  If you ever get the chance to watch them you will be glad that you did.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

sermon audio from 4-22 Receive the Holy Spirit

Here is the link
https://clyp.it/efim2osv

You - listen to me

I am writing this to you.  You who are not sure that you are loved.  You who are not sure that you are a good person.

Stop for a moment and ask if this is for you.  Is Jeff talking to me personally today?  Because I can sense in my heart that there is at least one person who needs to hear my voice say this to them.

look me in the eye and listen!

I am compelled by the Spirit to speak to you this morning.
Listen to me.  Stop what you are doing and listen to me.
Look at me.  Eye to eye.  Do I have your attention?

YOU ARE LOVED!
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
YOU ARE AMAZING!
YOU ARE A GREAT SOUL!

Please don't waste another minute of your life doubting this.
You are amazing.  Hear me.

In fact, I want you to hear this message so much today that I made a short video. 
Click here to watch, it is only 1 minute long.
video I made about this blog post - click here - 1 minute long

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

First World Problem

A first world problem is something that Americans complain about that the rest of the world finds silly.  Some of what we consider problems would actually be desired by the rest of the world.

For example...
-my car is broken down?  Most people in the world wish that they owned a car.
-my boss is annoying.  Many people wish that they had a job.
- I spent an hour straightening my hair and now it's raining.  Many people wish that they had electricity or even hair!

So here is my first world problem. 
I have a sore on my big toe. 
I know that I should call a tow truck, but let me go on.

I noticed in the night that there was a pain in my big toe.  I thought I had a splinter, but when I looked, there was a flap of skin.
Hmmm- Sherlock Holmes at work.... seems that my constant wearing of flip flops in Florida has rubbed a blister on my big toe.  The blister popped and now there is a sore and a flap of skin.

First world problem.  I know a lot of people who would love to be wearing flip flops all the time.

I put a band aid on it.
I will survive.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

I don't know what you are talking about

A few weeks ago in church it was time for the passing of the peace.  I was on a bee-line to shake someone's hand that I thought needed the connection.  Along the way to that person I realized that I had walked right past another person who I could have easily greeted.

Later, I wondered if they felt ignored or slighted.  I found them a few days ago and apologized.  I explained the situation and I apologized.

Their response was simple, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Whether the person remembered or not, I don't know, but I loved the response.

Imagine if every time we were hurt or slighted, instead of holding a grudge, we let it go.  We let it go so much that we could say with a smile to the other party, "I don't remember, or I don't know what you are talking about."

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

mixed bag

Life is a mixed bag.  A tossed salad.
One day it's up, the next day there is a challenge.

One day the blog celebrates a wedding, the next it grieves the loss of a friend.
Such is life.
There is no getting around it.

Enjoy the good days.  Hang on thru the painful ones.
Things will get better.

As my friend Lynn says, "everything will be alright in the end, if things are not alright, then this is not yet the end."

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

why me?

Someone did something nice for me.  Part of my brain thought, why me?  Years ago I did something nice for someone and they asked the same question, why me?

Hopefully I do nice things more than every few years....

Back to the story......
I think it is human nature to feel from time to time that we don't deserve it, or we are not worthy, or there are so many other more deserving folks...

Sure, some folks are full of themselves and think they are entitled to everything.  Some think that the world owes them.
But we who were raised in repressive Protestant homes know that we are probably not worthy of much at all.

Over the years I have come to believe differently.  I am worth caring about, and so are you.  I am worth going to lunch with and so are you.  We are all valuable to God.  Heck he died for us!

Why you?  Why me?  Why not?
Human life is valuable, incredible and temporary.
Do all the nice things that you can for all the people you can.
And let them do something nice for you and just force yourself to enjoy it.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

C.S. Lewis

The world is crowded with Him.  Do you see him?  In the starts at night?  In the sound of a fountain?  In the crashing waves on the beach?  Do you see him?  In the face of a friend?  In the love that you share with others?  Tyler do you see him?  The world is crowded with him.

The world is crowded with him.  All we need do to see it is to come awake.... and remain awake.  "Awake thou that sleepest and Christ shall shine on thee!"  Eph 5:14

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

a song got stuck in my head

So for some reason, a song got stuck in my head.  It happens to all of us I think.  The song that got stuck was I just called to say I love you by Stevie Wonder.

Click here to listen to the song

No New Year's Day to celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact here's just another ordinary day

No April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
But what it is, is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to you

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart

No summer's high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies

No Libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart

- - - - - - - - -

So we call people all the time for some reason.  What if we just called someone to tell that that we love them.  Do it today.  Do it everyday.

I love you.

For no particular reason, and for every particular reason.

I love you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -
I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.
August 13-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Tour - includes my favorite spots
with optional Jerusalem extension
March 4-13, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

The lesson

I do not believe that God makes everything happen.  If he did our lives and choices would be meaningless.  Just as I want my children to live their lives and make good choices, I think God watches us and celebrates our choices.  He does not push the buttons.

Consequently, when bad things happen, we cannot blame God.  We can however, learn from what has happened.  We can pray, "Lord I know that you did not bring this to me, but I also know that you can help me learn.  I am open to what ever lesson is there for me in this life experience."

Every day we have to choose to focus on the painful things or to look for the lesson that helps us to see the good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com



- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Wedding miscue #2

So if there is a slip up at the wedding, you hope that you are not involved in it.  And surely you do not want to be the cause of it.  Well, this was one for the record books.

Dad walks Alli down the isle.  Is he crying?  What a baby.

Dad has given her away and is returning to his seat.
Something is holding Alli back.  Her veil is caught.
The groom sees it and laughs.
What could it be?

Yes I inadvertently stepped on her veil. 
Her head jerked back.
I had no idea what was going on.
The priest said that it was a metaphor -
that I was reluctant to let her go.

All is forgiven.  We danced our Father Daughter dance.
The song was Louie Armstrong's
What a wonderful world.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com



- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Wedding miscue 1

So my daughter's wedding was great except there were a couple of minor miscues.

Ahh, you may kiss the bride.  But the
 bride's lipstick gets all over your face!!!

So the bride looks a bit embarrassed
and the groom stands by for clean up.

Several people get involved in the clean up.  The priest is laughing.
Probably not going to keep that lipstick around!

Everything turned out fine.  Alli, Bobby
and Alli's grandma, my mother in law, Carlotta Belcher.

It's the funny things that happen in life that keep us on our toes.  Great memories!

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com



- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

sermon audio from Sunday on doubt

for those interested in listening....

click here to listen

Holy Land 2019

Several have asked if I will be leading a Holy Land trip in 2019.  Now the answer is here.... Yes I will lead a Holy Land trip, the Lord willing and the Creek don't rise.  Here are the details:

Dates are March 4-13, 2019

This trip will be hitting some of my favorite sites, including:

Fly to Tel Aviv

Cesarea by the Sea - Roman theatre, hippodrome and aqueduct
Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal
Nazareth
I am currently trying to trade out a visit to Megiddo for Beit She'an.  Megiddo is very historic but there is not much to see there.  Beit She'an is one of the major sites of Roman archaeology.  Read more on Beit She'an here-
more on Beit She'an



The Sea of Galilee - boat ride included
The ancient boat
Capernum
The mount of beatitudes
The church of the loaves and fishes

Cesarea Phillipi where Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am?
The Golan Heights
The Jordan river baptismal site where anyone who has not been baptized can be, and the rest of us will have the opportunity to remember our baptisms.

Roman fortifications as
 seen from Massada

Jerico
Qumran - where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered
The dead sea
Massada - Historic mountain top fortress







Bethlehem
The Church of the Nativity
Yad Vashem - Israel's holocaust museum.  If you have not been to this museum, it is worth the trip all by itself.  It is worth returning to the Holy Land for.  No one walks out of there with out being deeply moved.

3500 year old olive tree
in the Garden of Gethsemane

Jerusalem - 2 days
Mount of Olives
Garden of Gethsemane
The western or wailing wall
The teaching steps






Jerusalem
The temple mount - Most of the trips that I have been on to the Holy Land did not include the temple mount.  It is definitely worth seeing!
The dome of the rock
The Via Delarosa
The Church of the Holy Seplechur
The garden tomb - where we will conclude our trip with a service of Holy Communion.


Return home to the USA


There is also a post trip addition available of an extra day in Jerusalem to shop or explore on your own.  I am actually going to tack that on as Jerusalem is a fascinating city.

We already have three signed up, I hope you will consider joining us. Thinking about the places that Jesus walked is one thing, actually seeing them and walking there is an incredible life experience.

here is the link to the brochure-
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL19_G_Explorations.pdf

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Anna

Her name is Anna.  She has a name.

She is the reading tutor for the Christian School that is housed at our church through May.  You might remember that the hurricane damaged their original space so Ft Pierce First took them in.

Anyway, back to the story.  Her name is Anna.  I have seen her 2x a week since October.  She is working with kids in the back of the sanctuary.  I often wander thru the sanctuary on my way to visit Arlene or Kathy.

For some reason, the other day, I decided to walk the 75' back to the back of the sanctuary and introduce myself.

It's about time.

What I found when I met her was a lovely smile, a friendly way and an open soul.  She has a name.  Her name is Anna.

How many people in this life are we just walking by and not noticing?

No one should be invisible to a Christian.  We should see people, meet people and love them.  Everyone wants to be called by name.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

I still miss you

The text Dan sent me
 earlier that night.

It was one year ago today.
It was April 13, 2017.
It was Maundy Thursday, 2017.
10:30pm or so, I'm not exactly sure...
I received a phone call....

My friend Dan Horn had a heart attack and passed away.
Dan Horn age 55.  Gone from us, gone to God.

Dan.  One of my best friends.  One of the finest men I have ever known.  He loved his wife and kids.  he loved his friends.  He loved canoeing. He was an avid Cardinals fan.  He was a good man, a GOOD man.  Funny, oh, Dan was funny.  He loved Steven Wright and he loved the blues.  He introduced me to the Tedeschi Trucks Band.

He was a low maintenance friend.  We had some wonderful talks on his back porch with our friend Jack.  We had some wonderful breakfasts, when I made them, at Neighbors or HiVee.  He was always there for me.

I loved him.  I love him.
Dan, I still miss you so much.  We all do.
Dan Horn, I honor you.  I honor your life.

Dan Horn

Gary Glenn, Tyler Stephenson, Dan Horn

Jeff Brinkman, Gary Glenn, Dan Horn

Wedding Time!!!!

Here are some pictures from the recent wedding of my daughter Allison to Robert [Bobby] Lascon. 
The wedding and reception were wonderful. 

St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Jupiter Florida
Anne Cannon in the isle, friend and photographer

our children, Jenny, Alli the bride and Scott

New addition to our family is the groom Bobby Lascon

Alli and Bobby with my favorite Mother in Law, Carlotta Belcher

My wife Cathy and the bride at the reception.

My friend Paul McClain dancing with Carlotta.

view from our hotel room.... I decided that this picture
 was a promise of happiness and a peaceful future.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com



- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

change the world

I may not be able to change the entire world, but i can affect the world around me.  I can affect my world.  So can you.  We do not have to settle for being the thing that is always blown by the wind.  We can make a difference.

Do you believe in yourself?  Do you believe in the love that God has placed in your heart?  Love can change the world, but only if you let it out.

Do you believe in your organization? Your church? Belief means seeing something greater and knowing that we can get there.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

judged

Go easy on them please.  They did not mean to hurt you.  They did not mean to alienate you.  They were lost in their own world of self. 

Over the years I have learned that when people are angry about something at church, it is most often because they are angry about something else in their life.  We humans like to project our problems onto others.

We all have our good stories and our bad ones.  We all have had in this life our good moments and our bad ones.

May we offer grace to others.  May we not be judged by our worst moments, but by our best.  May we receive the grace as well.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

animals and church

So at Mercer, MO we once had a bird in the sanctuary during a Sunday afternoon sing.  Years later at Woods Chapel we had a bird in the sanctuary on Sunday morning.  Having learned from the experience in Mercer, I made the congregation sing "His Eye is on the Sparrow."  I also once caught a garter snake inside of the church.  I think he was looking for the bird.

this is not the kind of snake that I caught.

At Cape Coral we had burrowing owls on the church property. 

Why do people think owls are wise?
This guy does not look too smart to me.

At Ft. Pierce the church is located in the PAD.  Peacock Arts District in case you were wondering.  One peacock named George [why you name a peacock is beyond me] anyway, George lives just outside my office and makes the most awful noises.

George must be a Methodist.  All are welcome right?

you have to sit up high so your dress doesn't drag the ground.

Showing off for the ladies.  My office is upper left.

Tomorrow I am going to lay awake in the middle of the night worried that a peacock will come thru the cat door.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

How the mind works

I know that you are expecting wedding pictures.... give me a couple of days to recover.

In the mean time... how the mind works.

Fact 1.  I am pretty normal I think. 
Fact 2.  I don't like snakes
Fact 3.  I live in Florida

This could be just around the corner from our house.

Fact 4.  We have a cat - Tyler the cat
Fact 5.  We have a door so he can go in and out at his leisure
Fact 6.  Do you see where this is going?

Tyler heading out the cat door.

Fact 7.  Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and move to the couch.
Fact 8.  My brain thinks up dumb things.

I have no idea why, but the other night about 3am I am plopping down on the couch and my brain adds it up.  Big snakes in Florida + 24 hour cat door = big snake crawling up onto the couch with me.

Needless to say, I did not sleep another wink that night. 🐍 🐍🐍

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

today

Today I will see my first child get married.  Alli and Bobby have been dating for years and today is the day that they declare their vows before God, their family and friends.

Who gives this woman?   I will walk her down the isle and say "her mother and I."

Rejoice with me.  REJOICE WITH ME!

Easter 1991 Jenny on left, Alli on right.
Alli evidently has something to say.

On vacation in San Diego ca 2002.  In the control
tower of the retired aircraft carrier USS Midway.
They have been in charge of me my whole life. 

High School Graduation 2006
Beautiful kid, so proud.

College Days at a winery with her best friend
and maid of honor, our other daughter, Jennifer.

Bobby and Alli 2017

REJOICE WITH ME!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU